When Evie woke up that morning, it was very late. She lay on the bed for a while, thinking back to the event that transpired the previous night between her and the emperor, her cheeks turning red. "He is such a playboy in every lifetime," she said, sitting up and stretching. It was clear from the body language that he hated her guts and was furious at her, but despite that, he had no qualms sleeping with her.
She picked up the bell and rang it, and within seconds, both Helga and Lila were by her side. "Your highness, should we ready your bath?"
"Yes, but before that, I have something to discuss with you, Helga. So Lila, go take along the new maids and ready the bath today," Evie said.
"Okay, your highness," Lila said happily, skipping to the door.
"Helga, take a seat," Evie said, pointing to the couch. Despite her rigidity when it comes to rules, Helga took a seat, noticing the seriousness in Evie's voice. Once sat, Evie's sombre voice sounded. "Helga, I know you work for the royal family, but I trust you as I would a friend, and I will ask you questions, and I want you to answer honestly, okay?" Evie asked.
"Yes, your highness," Helga said with a firm voice.
"How long have we been together?" Evie asked.
"Since we were both sold to one merchant," Helga replied.
"Okay, tell me what you know about me," Evie asked. She knew Helga was very observant and was trying to see how much she could know about her. She needed an ally here, and she knew she could absolutely trust Helga, for the fact that she had the likeness of Tasha, and as per her observation these days they have been together, even the way she treated her was just like Tasha did.
Helga shifted in her seat uncomfortably, adjusting her apron. "I know you have not been raised poor like us," Helga said. "It was very difficult for you to get used to work or even the maid's food at first, your highness. You have the air of nobility around you," she said as Evie went into deep thought.
"So, who do you think I am?" she asked, adjusting her seating position to face Helga as their eyes met.
Helga looked down at her clasped hands in her lap. "Maybe one of a noble from the recently conquered kingdoms," she said, her voice getting quieter.
"Very clever," Evie said. Helga's guessing her identity and keeping it a secret till now reinforced her decision to trust Helga. "Now tell me about yourself, Helga," Evie said.
"My name is Helga Patterson. I am from Velma Kingdom. I am from a family of farmers. My mother passed away at a young age, and I was raised by my stepmother. Although life was hard, it was bearable until my stepmother sold me to a known cruel count in my kingdom. I escaped and was caught by the slave traders, who also sold me to the human trafficker where we met," Helga said.
For the first time in two weeks, Evie saw real emotions in Helga's dead eyes. She also knew her opening up about her background was her throwing her hat in. "Okay, Helga, thank you for telling me. Now I assure you, you won't regret following me, okay?" Evie reassured Helga.
"I trust you, your highness," Helga said, her eyes back to being emotionless.
"Have you ever left the palace before? Is there some sort of time off?" Evie asked.
"No, but we were to go for a break in a few weeks before the emperor promoted you," Helga said, startling Evie.
She stood up. "This coming Wednesday?" she asked, her eyes wide and her fingers shaking. She couldn't believe an amazing chance had just presented itself just like that. "Okay, Helga, I need you to go and confirm if my name is still on the list, okay? And also, we are going to escape," Evie said, dropping a bomb on Helga. "You have the chance of saying no and remaining here," she added, staring into Helga's eyes, looking for any sign of discomfort, but she found none.
"No, your highness. I am going wherever you decide to go," Helga said firmly, and Evie burst into a big smile. That is my Tasha, Evie thought. "Okay, go and report back," Evie said.
"Okay, your highness," Helga replied, standing up to leave. She walked a short distance, turned to Evie, and said, "Your highness, I also know your real hair is red, and you are wearing fake hair," and walked out the door, leaving a stunned Evie behind her.
Meanwhile, in the throne room, the emperor sat on his throne, gazing out of the window in the direction of Moonlight Pavilion. He turned to Arthur as if something clicked in his mind. "Arthur," he called out.
"Yes, your royal highness?" Arthur replied, looking at Reign.
"Where are we with Lady Elara's welcome party?" he asked.
"The empress is planning it, your highness," Arthur replied.
"Okay, I want you to handle this personally," he said. "Go and tell the empress you will be taking over," he commanded.
"Yes, your highness," Arthur said, backing away.
"Wait," Reign called out. "When do you think you can make it?" the emperor asked, looking at Arthur eagerly.
"When do you think is the correct time, your highness?" Arthur asked, throwing the question like a hot potato back to the emperor.
"Hmmm," Reign said. "How about next Wednesday?" he replied, and Arthur winced but quickly agreed, leaving.
"What do you mean you will be taking over the party?" the empress asked. "That is my work, Sir Arthur, you know that. I have made the preparation for the party in the next two weeks," she added, her fingers massaging her forehead.
"Your majesty, the emperor is worried about your workload and insisted I take over and hold the party on Wednesday," Arthur said, trying so hard to maintain the peace.
"That's short notice," the empress said, her voice louder.
"I know," Arthur thought but kept quiet, looking down.
"You," the empress said, rising from her seat, but Doris patted the empress on the shoulder, shaking her head. "Okay, take over it. You can go now," the empress said.
"Thank you, your majesty," Arthur said, bowing and exiting Phoenix Pavilion.
"Why did you stop me from talking?" the empress said, looking at Doris, her eyes burning with anger.
"Your majesty," Doris said, kneeling. "The emperor's orders are absolute. Arthur was just being polite to inform you, so I didn't want you to be worked out. It is also not... You are alone. You also need to take care of..."
"You are right," the empress said, cutting Doris off as her fist unfurled, and she put her hand on her stomach with a smile on her face.